Southampton - Middlesbrough predictions

The odds are definitely leaning in the hosts’ favour, but this match is far from a done deal. Judging by odds alone, Middlesbrough may yet be able to walk away with a draw or even a surprise victory – though it’s still a longshot.

It’s hard to believe even the most optimistic The Boro fans are expecting them to triumph at Southampton this Friday. It’s a completely one-sided matchup, and the hosts should have no problems steamrolling their opponents.

Southampton quickly emerged as the dominant side in their previous Championship showdown, which was hardly a surprise given the 1.49 odds on them winning. They easily confirmed what most predictions were expecting and recorded a 4:2 win.

The Boro haven’t exactly been playing top of their game lately. Last round’s home draw 0:0 against Blackburn Rovers was far from a disaster, but most of us – including the world’s best online bookmakers – expected a lot more considering they played at home.

With more than 5 conceded goals over their latest 3 fixtures, The Saints’s performance leaves something to be desired. That said, savvy punters could be able to exploit this – think BTTS or Over 5 Goals markets, for example.

The Boro’s defence has been flawless for the last 3 matches with a grand total of zero goals conceded.

These two squads already clashed this season, and Southampton narrowly lost the bout. With a home-field advantage on their side, however, most bookies believe that they’re more likely to win this time.

This will no doubt be an exciting match because both squads will be able to come out in full force. No players have been sidelined due to injury or suspension, and this goes for both sides.

Though some punters may prefer more exciting options, the Under 3.5 Goals market is a solid opportunity for this fixture. It offers a surprisingly solid balance between risk and betting value – though the returns on their own aren’t much to look at.